Open type explosion connector and method



United States Patent [72] inventor David T. James DeKalb, Illinois [211 App]. No. 681,975 [22] Filed Nov. 13, 1967 [45] Patented Nov. 24, I970 [73] Assignee Ideal Industries, Inc.

Sycamore, Illinois a corporation of Delaware [5 4] OPEN TYPE EXPLOSION CONNECTOR AND METHOD 2 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 228/3; 29/42 I 29/470.l [51] Int. Cl. B23p 3/02 [50] Field of Search 29/421, 470.], 497.5; 228/8 [5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Primary Examiner-John F. Campbell Assistant Examiner-DC. Reiley Attorney-Parker, Carter & Markey ABSTRACT: A method of connecting wires, cables, structural members and the like including the steps of placing the wires, cables, structural members and the like to be connected inside a deformable member, placing a detonating explosive around a portion of the outside of the deformable member, and detonating the explosive to deform the deformable member into contact with the wires, cables, structural members and the like and the same in contact with one another.

A connector for joining wires, cables, structural members and the like including a deformable member and a detonating explosive located on the outside of the deformable member, the explosive functioning, upon detonation, to deform the deformable member into crimping engagement with the wires, cables, structural members and the like placed therein and the same into crimping engagement with one another.

Patented Nev. 24, 1%76 Sheet 1 M2 adetonatingexplosive.

OPEN TYPE EXPLOSION CONNECTOR AND METHOD SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION tected from the elements by' a covering 19 made from paper or another frangible. substance'lf the explosive is a plastic type, a covering may not be needed. Ignition of the explosive may be brought about by an electric detonator 21 connected by wires 23 to a source of electrical power (not shown).

Another form of connecter for joinder of two or more wires in a pigtail manner is shown in FIG.- 2. In this embodiment, a

v deformable tube or sleeve 31 having a bore 33'open at one together through the use of a member deformed by a charge of Another object is an apparatus for connecting at least one cable,'wire, structural member or the like to an end fitting by means of a detonating explosive charge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is illustrated more or less diagrammatically in the following drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of one form of the connecterof this invention for use in connecting two wires together in a splicelike-manner;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of another form ofconnecter for use in connecting two or more wires together in a pigtail manner;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross section of a connecter used for making an end connection to one or more wires; FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the type shown in FIG. 2 having a shaped explosive charge; FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an end connecter having amodified form of shaped charge; and

- FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a splice type connecter having the explosive charge spaced from the wall of the connecter DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One form of a connecter of this invention which is shown in FIG. 1 may be utilized to connect two or more wires, cables, structural members or the like together end to end in the manner of a splice. For simplicity of description inthis specification, the'term wires" may at times be used in lieu of the expression wires, cables, structural members and the like" or any one or more elements of this expression as the context of the specification may require. This connecter includes a deformable member in the shape of a tube or sleeve 10 having a bore ll adapted to receive wires 12 and 13 which are to be connected together. While wires 12 and 13 are shown in an overlapping relationship relative to each other, they may also be abutted end to end where the length and diameter of the tube 10 is properly proportioned. The wall at the ends of the tube is turned back on the tube to form rolled beads 14 which function as blast shields to protect the insulation 15 on the wires from blast damage. If necessary, washers 16 may be positioned next to the rolled beads to function as part of the blast shields.

A detonating type of explosive is formed in the shape of sleeve l7 around the outside of the tube 10. The detonating explosive may be held in position against the tube and pro- '20 Another ob ect is an apparatus for oining two or more of a connecter outside of the deformable tube required. An electric detonator end 35 and closed at the opposite end by a wall 37 is adapted to receive two or more wires 39.. The wall of the open end of the tube is turned back to form a rolled bead 40 which functions as a blast shield to protect the insulation on the wires from blast damage. If necessary, a washer (not shown) may be positioned next to the rolled bead 40 to function as part of the blast shieldJOther forms of shields held in place by other means, such as brazing, may also be used. A detonating type of explosive in the form of a sleeve 41 is positioned around the 31. This explosive may be covered by a frangiblematerial such as paper 43. If the explosive is a plastic type, a covering may not be required. An electric detonator 45 may be provided.

' FIG. 3 shows a connecter used as an end connection for attaching one or more wires to a structure. It may include a member 49 having a deformable portion 51 enclosing a bore 53 having an opening 55 at one end thereof. A flange 56 may be provided on the member adjacent the opening into the bore to function as a blast shield. The opposite end' of the deformable portion 51 has means for attachment to a structure. This means may consist of a threaded portion 57 to fit into a threaded hole or an eye, a ball or a hookor other attachment device. An explosive in the form of a sleeve 58 is positioned around at least a part ofthe deformable portion and, as in the previous embodiments, this explosive may be covered with a I frangible material such as paper 59 to hold it in place or if the explosive is of a plastic nature, a covering may not be needed. An electric detonator 61 may also be provided.

FIG. 4 shows a connecter of the type used for pigtail connections of wires having a shaped explosive charge 71 positioned on the outside of a portion of the deformable tube31. To obtain a shaped charge, portions of the explosive are cut away to form annular grooves 73 of triangular cross section adjacent the portions of the tube where the explosive forces are to be concentrated. While in this example the cut away portions of the explosiveform annular grooves of triangular cross section, other configurations may be used. The explosive may be covered by a frangible material such as paper 75. If the explosive is a plastic type, such a covering may not be 77 may also be provided as shown.

FIG. 5 shows a connecter of the type which is used as an end connection for a structural me'mbersuch as rod 81 having a ball 83 at one end thereofxThe connecter 79 has a deformable portion 85 enclosing a bore 87 open at one end 89 thereof and adapted to receive the ball 83. The opposite end of the deformable portion 85 has a threaded portion 91 for attachment to a structure. The explosive charge 93' is positioned on the outside of the deformable portion and has annular grooves 95 and 97 formed adjacent the deformable portion on opposite'sides of the ball'83. Upon actuation of the explosive,

the concentration of forces at these locations will crimp the deformable member against opposite sides of the ball 83 to lock the structural rod 81' inposition. The annular groove I has a connecter triangular cross section with a rounded bottom portion while the annular groove 97 has a sawtooth bottom portion. While the use of different shaped annular grooves in the explosive in a single connecter is shown here primarily for purposes of illustrating the variety of shapes of grooves that may be used to provide a shaped charge,.there is no reason why such an arrangement would not be advantag'eous under certain circumstances. However, it is more likely that all of the grooves in the explosive .of one connecter willbe of the same shape as is shown in the connecter of FIG. 4. A blast shield in a form of a flange 99 may be provided on .ple, in a lead box of adequate dimensions.

bore.

FIG. 6 shows a straight through type connecter similar to the connecter of FIG. 1. This connecter includes a deformable member in the shape of a tube 101 having a bore 103.'The ends of the tube are turned outward to provide flanges 105 which function as blast shields. A detonating type of explosive in the shape of a tube 107 is positioned around the outside of the deformable member 101 and is spaced therefrom by spacers 109. The explosive tube 107 may be held in position and protected by a covering 111 made from paper or another frangible material. An electric detonator 113 may also be provided. The spacing of the explosive 107 from the deformable member 101 may be varied to vary the effective force exerted against the deformable member upon detonation of the explosive. At ascertainable spacings of the explosive from the deformable member, maximum effective forces may be obtained.

The use, operation and function of this invention are as follows:

The method and apparatus of this invention are particularly directed to the connection of wires, cables, structural members and the like of extremely large sizes such as would be found in electric power transmission lines, bridges and other heavy construction. In the connection of large wires, cables, structural members and the like, it is desirable to reduce the weight and size of the connection. To accomplish this, a detonating explosive which does not require confinement to exert deforming forces is utilized. The explosive is'positioned on the outer surface of a deformable member such as a tube or sleeve and the shock waves created upon detonation of the explosive crimps the sleeve into contact with the wires, etc. and the wires, etc. into physical contact with one another.

The quantity and type of explosive to be used will be determined by the conditions which exist at each particular application. If it is necessary only for the sleeve to be deformed into crimping contact with the wires, a smaller quantity of explosive or a less powerful explosive will be required than if it is necessary also to deform the wires into contact with one another. These factors may also be dependent upon whether or not the wires being connected are to be used for electrical or mechanical installations.

If the connections of the wires are to be accomplished in a location which is remote from habitation, distance alone may be utilized to dissipate the noise and shock waves from the blast in the atmosphere. When these conditions do not prevail,

caused by the explosive by enclosing the connecter, for exam- Of course, such a box would have a parting line to allow it to be separated and removed from the parts which are connected. Other means to it may be necessary to muffle both the noise and shock waves muffle the noise and shock waves of the explosive may be used, depending on the circumstances."

While an electricdetonator has been shown as the means for setting ofi the explosive, it should be understood that other types of detonators such as percussion or heat actuated may be used. Also, while the detonating explosive has been shown in the form of a sleeve covering the outside of the deformable member it shouldbe understood that the explosive may be shaped or positioned as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 to concentrate forces at one or more particular portions of the deformable member. The forces exerted by the explosive against the deformable member may be varied by spacing the explosive from the deformable member as is shown in F16. 6.

Selective deformation of portions of the deformable member may be obtained by use of shaped charges of explosives as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. In these examples, maximum deformation of the deformable members will occur adjacent the grooved portions of the explosive. In lieu of the use of shaped explosive charges, selective deformation of portions of the deformable members may be realized by preweakening the selected portions. Although blast shields have been shown to deflect the force of the explosive away from the exposed surfaces of the parts being connected, it should also be undamental theme. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be restricted only by the appended claims.

I claim:

l. Aconnecter for attachment to at least one wire or the like including: i

a deformable member having a bore adapted to receive at least one wire or the like;

a detonating explosive surrounding at least a portion of said deformable member and of sufficient quantity, when exploded, to deform at least a portion of said deformable member into physical contact with said wire; and

a shield at at least one end of said deformable member to I protect the wire or the like from the forces created by the detonation of the explosive with said shield being in the form of a rolled bead formed by turning the wall of the 

